Chennai: Dismissing VHP's (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) charges against Congress President Sonia Gandhi in connection with the arrest of Kanchi Seer Jayendra Saraswathi, DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) today (Nov 21, 2004) said the allegations were made to create religious disharmony and acrimony between two communities.

Spotlight: Kanchi Jayendra Saraswathi's Arrest

Describing as 'baseless and a blatant lie' the VHP working President Ashok Singhal's charges that Sonia Gandhi as Christian was behind the arrest of the Seer, DMK chief and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said 'such diverting tactics of people like Ashok Singhal is highly condemnable'.

Expressing his Opposition to dragging Sonia Gandhi's name in the episode, Karunanidhi said, 'It is mischievous that' Ashok Singhal 'has uttered knowingly that it is a lie.'

Karunanidhi said the State Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had made a statement in the Assembly giving reasons for the arrest and actions taken in this matter, which was known, to the people.

'But people like Ashok Singhal do not know who the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is, and had preferred to accuse Sonia Gandhi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Rajasekara Reddy,' whom Singal had described as a follower of Christianity, he said.